Gable Stevenson: WWE’s Golden Boy & His Historic Deal
Recently, Olympic gold medalist and NCAA champion Gable Stevenson has been the bell of the combat sports ball. The 21-year-old college athlete had his pick of the bunch as seemingly every major company was after him. Steveson shocked some in the MMA world when he ultimately put pen to paper last week signing an agreement with WWE. His agreement is the first of its kind and sets a historic precedent for college athletes.
In July of this year, college athletes were granted the ability to be compensated. Prior to this, college athletes were barred from making deals that we would normally see with professional athletes. Athletes are consistently signing deals whether it be with a shoe company, clothing line, etc.
Stevenson’s deal with WWE is an NIL deal, which stands for names, images, or likeness. This essentially means college athletes are able to use their names and likeness for compensation.
On the September 13th episode of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour Steveson cleared up some of the specifics of his deal. He will be going back to school at the University of Minnesota and defending his NCAA championship. After the NCAA tournament finishes, his three-year contract with WWE begins. His NIL deal also means he can appear on WWE television while still wrestling for NCAA. The historical significance of this blockbuster deal is something that can not be overstated.
While it is not known when or how Steveson will make his WWE debut, it is possible for it to happen at any point. Steveson will have a facility in Minnesota for his pro wrestling training which will include trainers from the WWE Performance Centre. Steveson is expected to skip over NXT when he eventually makes his debut.
WWE also signed Gable’s older brother, Bobby Steveson in August of this year. The 21-year-old has not closed the door on entering MMA and he certainly would not be the first to jump from the wrestling ring to the MMA cage. It is also interesting to note that Steveson revealed that Brock Lesnar played a part in his decision to sign with WWE.
Are you excited for Gable Stevenson in the WWE? Let us know your thoughts below.
About Post Author
Austin Luff
About Post Author
Austin Luff
Austin Luff is a broadcasting student at Durham College and one of the original writers at The Scrap, contributing since the site’s inception. Passionate about MMA, Professional Wrestling and Influencer Boxing, Austin also produces video content for The Scrap’s YouTube channel. With his large TikTok following and creativity, Austin was meant to be a Paul brother in this lifetime.
Related Posts:
Additional Content
AEW in 2024: Ups & Downs
The year 2023 was tumultuous for AEW, marked by the fallout of the CM Punk controversy and other internal struggles....
WWE in 2024: The Year of The Bloodline
As 2024 ends, we reflect on WWE’s reliance on The Bloodline storyline, which drew mixed reactions but remains central to programming. Cody Rhodes emerged as a strong champion, though his rivalries struggled outside this narrative. GUNTHER’s notable reign as Intercontinental Champion stood out, while the women’s division faced challenges. Looking to 2025, WWE must innovate amid a shift to Netflix streaming.
2024 WWE Survivor Series: WarGames Start Time & Predictions
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames features a climactic showdown between Roman Reigns’ team and Solo Sikoa’s faction in a five-on-five match. Additionally, the women’s division showcases a WarGames match filled with multiple feuds. Other matches include Gunther defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Damian Priest, and the mid-card titles showcased on an important PLE.
Pro Wrestling & Its Dark History
Pro wrestling has long been viewed as low entertainment, leading to misconceptions about its fans. A darker side exists, highlighted by Vice’s “Dark Side of the Ring,” focusing on women’s mistreatment. Despite some progress, the sport often protects problematic figures, as seen in allegations against stars like Snuka and Moolah.
AEW needs to fill the gap left by WWE leaving traditional TV
With AEW renewing their TV deal with Warner Brothers Discovery for three years, plus an optional year, it secures the...
Vince McMahon documentaries tend to miss the mark
Say what you will about Vince McMahon as a person. But, there's no denying that he is a fascinating figure...
Average Rating